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Looking Ahead

As you read this, our BAAA members will have returned from the FAA Legislative Conference in Tallahassee which was held on January 30 and 31st.

Over a dozen appointments were made with our Florida Legislators for BAAA members to discuss the issues that are important to the multi-family industry. I will share the results of those meetings with you in the March Bayline update. We have been following three key issues affordable housing, renters insurance, and doorstep trash collection as top priorities for the 2018 legislative session.

Looking ahead to other BAAA related Government Affairs events are two important events. BAAA members will be attending the NAA Advocate Conference in Washington, DC on March 13th and 14th. The conference is a great opportunity to meet with other NAA members, exchange ideas and visit with our Florida Senators and Representatives to discuss national issues of concern to multi-family owners and operators.

Plan now to attend the upcoming “ All Hands on Deck” NAA APAC fund raiser that will be held on March 29th aboard the SS American Victory Ship in Tampa. Tours of the ship will include an evening of networking, food, music and prize drawings that will highlight BAAA’s support of the NAA PAC. Reservations will fill up quickly for what promises to be a great event.

RENTERS INSURANCE

FAA supports Senate Bill 678 and House Bill 467, which mandate that apartment communities specify whether or not they require their residents to carry renters insurance and what types of coverage must be included. Although more than 2.4 million Americans are renters, less than 40 percent of residents leasing their homes have any form of renters insurance. Many renters mistakenly assume their possessions are protected under their apartment owner’s insurance policy. Passing the bill would clear up confusion between renters and apartment owners and protect against future litigation problems.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Florida Apartment Association urges the Florida Legislature to use all of Florida’s housing trust fund monies for Florida’s housing programs. The Sadowski Act, passed in 1992, created a revenue source to fund Florida’s affordable housing programs through document stamp taxes paid on all real estate transactions. Affordable housing helps to house Florida’s most vulnerable populations, including veterans and the elderly. The appropriation of the estimated $314.08 million in the state and local housing trust funds in fiscal year 2018 19 into Florida’s housing programs would create 30,000 jobs and $5 billion in positive economic impact in Florida.

DOORSTEP TRASH COLLECTION

FAA supports doorstep trash collection services to continue normally, and is seeking clarification of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which is unclear with regard to allowing trash containers to be placed temporarily in hallways. Doorstep trash collection services give residents an easy and cost effective way to dispose of trash by simply placing trash outside at a specified time, where it’s picked up by a local company. The doorstep waste removal industry is made up of several independent businesses which provide more than 1,200 jobs across Florida and generate an economic impact of more than $68 million annually. Doorstep trash service helps keep apartments clean and communities more marketable to residents. Passing SB 746 and HB 529 will allow trash collection services to operate normally.